Power Up Community Fund

Empowering communities in our backyard.

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Community
Power Up Community fund

Community
Power Up Community fund

We value the communities that surround our generation assets and it’s important to us that they feel included as part of our Meridian whānau. For the past 15 years, we’ve been proud to work with and empower community groups and projects through our Power Up Community Fund. And each year, we continue to put our support where it’s needed with the help of our local Power Up panels.

About our Power Up Community Fund

Is my project eligible?

If you live in a community near one of our generation assets then you can apply for funding. Your application must meet the Power Up Community Fund objectives and selection criteria below.

Looking for funding but don't live near our generation assets? Our Decarbonisation Fund is available nationwide for projects that reduce carbon emissions.

Your project must meet at least one of following:

Promote environmental awareness and programmes that sustain and improve the quality of the environment in the community
Contribute to the sustainability of non-profit organisations or volunteer services
Promote life-long learning opportunities for all
Foster the development of opportunities for sporting, social and recreational activities
Promote quality healthcare

Key selection criteria includes:

Your proposal must clearly outline what the outcomes and benefits of your project will be, and how your project will:

Contribute directly to the community
Generate benefits that do not currently exist
Contribute long-term solutions to issues
Foster the development of skills and capacity
Demonstrate the ability to make effective use of the funds
Have performance measures that focus on outcomes
Provide promotional opportunities
Use the fund to attract additional funding for the project
Demonstrate a sustainable future for the project beyond the support of the fund.

Projects outside the scope of the Power Up Fund

Power Up supports community-led projects that create lasting benefits for communities connected to our generation assets. To help make sure your application is a good fit, here are the types of costs and projects the fund does not support:

Ongoing or recurring operational costs, such as legal fees, wages, accommodation, or travel expenses
Requests for private business finance or projects that are intended for commercial gain
Applications from individuals
Projects that are usually funded through local or central government
Capital works projects
Projects that do not provide a direct benefit to the local community
Projects located on private land
Retrospective costs, including costs for projects that have already been completed

Applying for funding

Find your region below for more information and to apply online. We’ll review each application during our funding rounds, then we’ll be in touch to let you know the outcome.

Ruakākā Northland

Power Up Ruakākā is our newest community fund, providing grants for projects in the communities closest to Ruakāka that support sustainable community development.

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Te Uku Waikato

Power Up Te Uku provides grants for projects in Raglan, Te Mata, Waitetuna and Te Uku that support sustainable community development.

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Harapaki Hawke's Bay

Power Up Harapaki provides grants for projects in the communities closest to Harapaki wind farm that support sustainable community development.

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Te Āpiti Manawatu

Power Up Te Āpiti provides grants for projects in Ashhurst and Woodville that support sustainable community development.

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West Wind Wellington

Power Up West Wind provides grants for projects in Mākara, South Mākara, Mākara Beach and Takarau Gorge that support sustainable community development.

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Mill Creek Wellington

Power Up Mill Creek provides grants for projects in Ohariu Valley and North Mākara that support sustainable community development.

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Waitaki Canterbury

Power Up Waitaki provides grants for projects from Aoraki Mount Cook to Waitaki Bridge that support sustainable community development. This includes Twizel, Omarama, Otematata, Kurow, Hakataramea, Duntroon, Ikawai, Papakaio and Glenavy.

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White Hill Southland

Power Up White Hill provides grants for projects in Mossburn, Dipton and Lumsden that support sustainable community development.

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Manapōuri Southland

Power Up Manapōuri provides grants for projects in Te Anau, Manapōuri, Clifden and Tuatapere that support sustainable community development.

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